Interview: Rigontec details immuno-oncology strategy

Rigontec GmbH CEO Dr. Christian Schetter explains to Mike Ward, Informa Pharma Insights global director of content, how his company is developing a new class of RNA-based immunotherapeutics to treat cancers and viral diseases by targeting RIG-I, one of the essential pathways of the innate immune system. Rigontec’s proprietary agonists are designed to activate RIG-I specifically, inducing both immediate and long-term anti-tumor immunity, and achieving substantial local and systemic tumor regression in several relevant in vivo models.
With EUR 14.25 million from a series A round, Rigontec is looking to get its first RIG-I agonists into the clinic by the end of 1Q 2017 at the latest. It is looking to secure a EUR 20 to 25 million series B round this year to provide the company with enough funds to complete Phase I studies, embark on Phase I/II development, have enough proof of concept data to show potential partners as well as generate additional drug candidates targeting infectious and inflammatory diseases.
Founded in 2014 and based in Munich, Germany, the company is supported by a consortium of experienced life science investors including Wellington Partners, Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, NRW Bank, High-Tech Gruenderfonds, Forbion Capital Partners, Sunstone Capital and MP Healthcare Venture Management.